Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Raising Forage and Bait Tilapia Fingerling Survey

I have had so much trouble finding any winter supplier for tilapia fingerlings that were NOT genetically altered and OUTRAGEOUSLY priced (as high as 35K for 20 breeders). I am thinking of over wintering and rasing some next winter to supply small quantities to guys like us. That way we could raise a few in an aquarium to grow out for the spring. I'm trying to find out if there is any desire for this out there to see if it could be a possible market. The only broodstock readily available produce an all male offspring--not much good for a pond enviornment to provide autumn forage.

I'm thinking 80-100 2" fingerlings for about $100-$125 including shipping. How many Pond Meisters would be interested in that?

Moderators--I'm just wanting to take a survey to see if it would be a worthwhile venture. If you feel this is inappropriate please delete this thread.

Edit/update.
My thinking was more hoping, the fish wound up costing $4 each for the 150, 2-4" fish, but still more than worth it!

I bet you could find some people that are interested, but how many people actually have a system that they can grow out fish in.

If you did this it would probably be a good idea to include instructions on how to build a system for the people that don't have an aquarium.

How big would a grow out system for 80-100 fingerlings need to be?

http://aqua.ucdavis.edu/dbweb/outreach/aqua/282FS.PDF

Try this link it should contain most everything you will need to know.

I am going to be growing the fish I get in 2 or 3 55 gallon aquariums using only an undergravel filter and an external charcoal filter. I am starting with 20-40 fish per tank and using 2 tanks. I will use the 3rd only if the fish appear stressed. I bought all the tanks from people on craigsList and have less than $150 invested so far. For feed I am going to use nothing but cheap floating catfish pellets (32% prot.), crushed if needed.

I for one would be interested in either purchasing tilapia when the water gets warm enough or setting up a similar system until the temps get warm enough to put them in the pond. I also live in the St. Louis area.

I would be interested in a few. I am currently raising 160 genetically altered male nile tilapia, for research purposes. I received them as fingerlings and placed them in 4 seperate 30 gallon tubs. I've had them for about a month and they have more than doubled in size. I've started seperating them by size. I don't want to exceed 12lbs. per gallon, so I have plenty of room thus far and don't for see running out.

Rainman, good pick up on those tanks.

I'd probably be interested... provided I can't find a competitively priced local source.

Rainman, I might be interested as I am having trouble getting my own. I have a guy that is suppose to get me some but he has not come across yet. That price seems fair to me. Just how do you ship the talapia? Can you do it in cold weather.

Sorry I have not been around for any updates. I had one of those nasty new superbugs darn near do me in.

So far I've only set up one 55 gallon tank with about 90 2" FH to get some bacteria going before I get my Blue Tilapia to control ammonia levels. I am going to order the fish in the next couple weeks. I scrapped the undergravel filter idea, too ineffective, and decided on an outside cannister that came with the tanks and seems to work very well.

SoSuaty, the answer to your question is what I'll be trying to figure out in the next few months

Ricky, the fish are shipped in insulated containers and can be shipped overnight with no danger. 2 days in winter if you use a couple hand warmer packs.

Fishtech, What are you using for filtration in your tanks?

Weissguy, I know of no supplier in missouri. The closest supplier I've found is in southern arkansas who has adults during the summer only. $25 per pound.

James, Have you got an aquarium? If you do, I may give you some to raise.

I have a Sta-rite system 3 sand filter and a homemade biofilter. I am raising the fish for work, so cost isn't an issue.

Rainman - Let me know when you are ready to ship. I'll probably be interested.

Rainman-You might want to be careful with your distribution. The reason that there are no Missouri suppliers is that it is not on the approved species list in Missouri. Stocking them in a pond or other body of water that is not "contained" is technically illegal.

Moryan, when I talked to the Conservation Dept. it is not consider a concern as water temps get to cold for survival.
Second I am NOT distributing. I am merely trying to see if there would be enough of a market available to make overwintering costs at least self-supporting.

Rainman I would want that in writing from the authorized State authority before I put them in a pond. In most states if not allowed (permitted) the result is they will kill and drain the pond and send you a bill for their work along with a fine. I would hate to loose my adult fish and have to start over. Plus I would have about as many ex-friends as I had provided fish to when they suffered the same fate.

Thanks for the advice ewest. I'd already planned on that. Right now they will be in a closed system (aquariums), which is allowed under current state laws. When I spoke to the regional office they told me nobody had ever asked about tilapia due to the climate, they were also quite interested in the idea---who knows, maybe they will help fund some of it.
There is only one company in the state that owns tilapia, S n S Aquatics in West Plains, Mo.

Rainman - Moryan provides some good advice. He knows his stuff when it comes to such regulations. He's a fisheries management guy for the state, though he'll REALLY blow your mind with his knowledge of aquatic plants and biology. WOW!

Moryan, I PM'd you about the State Regulations question. I would like more of your advice on this.

Thanks

The Blue Tilapia will arrive thursday via Delta Airlines. I will have to get an exemption from the state before I can put them in my pond--HIGHLY unlikely. Looks like I'm going to have some expensive aquarium fillets this fall. The state is a little paranoid that the fish might survive average 38 degree winter waters. Who's up for a fingerling-fish-fry?

Their luggage should show up by Saturday.

Very true! I hope they didn't pack for a long stay! I'll be looking for someoene outside of Misery (Missouri) to sell them to.

Rainman - Sorry to hear about the exemption requirement. It's my hope you'll at least give it a shot. You could open up the possibility to a lot of other Missouri pond owners if you succeed. Keep us updated if you decide to go for it.

Never fear Weissguy, as I stated in another thread, the wife says I have OCD, so the powers that be will come to know me well.

She doesn't realize that it's not OCD but just a true pond passion I have.

Rainman, where did you end up getting the tilapia from? Was it overly expensive to have them shipped?

James, it cost more than I'd origanally thought. They are coming from southern La.in the bayou. It is $75 per box (3)on Delta Freight, total weight is 210lbs. Wouldn't be so bad if I could have cancelled the order since I can't put them in my pond now. I've had a few private messages from those looking to provide homes.....maybe I will be able to offset the expense. Give me a PM if you want to talk.